1. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is arguably greatest batsmen of all time
Sachin Tendulkar made his India debut against Pakistan in 1989. While he began as a 16-year old child prodigy, he never looked back and went onto register most runs in international cricket. Tendulkar was at the peak of his powers during the late 90s. Amongst his century of hundreds, his most revered innings came against Australia in 1998, popularly known as the ‘Desert Storm'.
More than his runs, it was his consistency to reign supreme in the international game for 24 long years that was hugely admired. Someone who was regarded as the cricketing version of god in India, Tendulkar is a worthy entrant in the list of the best batsmen in the world. With a humungous 200 Tests and 463 ODIs, Sachin called time upon his career in 2013.
2. Sir Vivian Richards
Sir Vivian Richards dominated cricket with swagger
Sir Vivian Richards was roped into the national cricket team for the first time against India in 1974. Not to everybody's surprise, his charisma and body language petrified the bowlers during his reign. He drew immense spotlight after he smoked 291 runs against England in 1976 at Oval. In 121 test matches, he smashed 8540 runs at an average of 50.
The batting legend featured in 187 ODI matches scoring 6721 runs. The numbers transcend the importance he attached to his team. Richards was often regarded way ahead of his team. He was one of the few batters who could instill fear in the mind of the opposition team.
3. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has scored most Test double tons since 2016
Virat Kohli is arguably the best batsman in the world in 2021. His aggression and hunger to score runs in adverse and critical situations add legitimacy to his captain's post. Although he is yet to retire, his unbelievable stats put him on this list for the greatest batsmen. The Delhi-based batsman has played in 92 Test matches smothering 7547 runs.
He's a modern-day great in ODIs, especially for his ability to chase down targets without any fuss. Kohli has scored over 12k ODI runs at an average nearing 60. India's current captain also has a record 70 centuries to his name in nearly 13 years of international cricket.
4. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting is one of Australia's greatest batsmen (Image Source: Getty Images)
Australian legend Ricky Ponting grabbed innumerable laurels to his name during his career. Under his leadership, the Kangaroos lifted three World Cups consecutively. After making his debut against Sri Lanka in 1995, the former Australian racked up over 13k Test runs at an average of 51.85 in 168 appearances for that national team. Although he retired from the cricketing world in 2012, he has left an indelible print in everybody's minds. Popularly known for his impeccable pull shot, Ponting features in the list of the best batsman in the world.
5. Brian Lara
Brian Lara scored the highest individual score in Test Cricket
One of the greatest left-handers to have ever played the game, Brian Lara made his debut for the West Indies against Pakistan in 1990. The southpaw was a ruthless batsman who thrashed the bowlers mercilessly. He featured in 131 test matches wherein he scored 11953 runs at an average of 52. The 299 ODI matches saw him scoring 10495 runs at a majestic strike rate of 79.51.
During his entire career, the 52-year-old legend broke innumerable records but none greater than registering the highest individual score of 400* in Test Cricket. In Antigua in 2004, Lara annihilated the English attack to register a mammoth 400 runs off just 582 balls. It was an innings laden with artistry, patience, dominance, and pleasing stroke-making.
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